Psychoactive acacias

This is a list of Acacia species (sensu lato) that are known to contain psychoactive alkaloids, or are suspected of containing such alkaloids due to being psychoactive. The presence and constitution of alkaloids in nature can be highly variable, due to environmental and genetic factors.

Published reports of DMT in the leaf[5] derive from a misreading of a paper that found no DMT in leaves of this species.[6] Besides this, there are independent claims of DMT in leaves and bark based on human bioassay,[2] and traces of 5-MeO-DMT, DMT and NMT were tentatively identified by TLC in twigs.[7] Root bark contains alkaloids that were not identified[8]

0.028% β-methyl-phenethylamine in leaves,[12] DMT (0.00012-0.00102%) and N-methyltyramine (0.00011-0.005%) in leaves;[13] DMT and 5-MeO-DMT tentatively identified by TLC from roots in one test, not detected in follow up; 5-MeO-DMT tentatively identified by TLC in seeds[7]

May be psychoactive, as the root is used as an aphrodisiac, and may have been added to the Central American balché beverage.[25] Claims of tryptamines in this species[37] might be speculation. Research needed.

0.02-0.07% alkaloids in leaves and stems, including tryptamine (tentatively identified) and a phenethylamine. 0.04% alkaloids in seeds and unripe seed pods;[1][3][38] tentative observation of 5-MeO-DMT in leaves, stems and flowers[7]

Tentative identification of 5-MeO-DMT and an unidentified β-carboline from immature seed pods;[7] tryptamine in stem bark.[22] A claim of β-methyl-phenethylamine from flowers is not supported by the reference given.[40] Ether extracts about 2-6% of the dried leaf mass.[11] Alkaloids are present in the bark[41] and leaves.[42] Others found no alkaloids.[23] Claims of amphetamines and mescaline in the tree[37] appear to be groundless

Up to 0.18% alkaloids from tops, mostly tryptamine with some phenethylamine; 0.15-1.18% alkaloids from flowers, equal amounts tryptamine and phenethylamine;[38][43] traces of unidentified alkaloid from bark.[1] Recently found to actually contain mostly DMT (up to 0.1% from leaves, 0.3-0.5% from bark), with bark also containing NMT, and small amounts of tryptamine, harman and norharman[2]

0.2-1% alkaloids from tops, 0.14-0.29% from flowers; consisted mostly of tryptamine-like alkaloids (tryptamine itself found in some flowers), with small amount of phenethylamine.[1][38][43] Some strains have been found to contain up to 0.2% DMT in unspecified parts.[2][46] Leaves, bark, pods, seeds and flowers all contained varying levels of histamine amides[47]

Contains alkaloids in leaves, stems and unripe seed pods[23][38] but they have been poorly investigated. A claim of tryptamine in leaveand bark[15] requires a proper reference. Several reports of DMT content unconfirmed[2][48]

0.13-0.71% alkaloids from bark, consisting of NMT and DMT in about a 2:3 ratio;[23][49] both also present in leaves. Some varieties of the species are not good alkaloid sources.[2] Tentative identification of 5-MeO-DMT in wood and twigs, NMT in root[7]

One ublished report of DMT in the leaf[5] may derive from a misreading of a paper that found no DMT in leaves of this species.[6] Later analysis tentatively found 5-MeO-DMT in stems, leaves and roots; DMT, NMT and 5-MeO-DMT were tentatively observed in seeds, but follow-up tests were negative.[7][51] Bark contains unidentified alkaloids[52] Bark in one sample subsequently found to contain an alkaloid which has an Rf value suggesting DMT.[53]

0.15-0.6% alkaloids from bark, 0.07% from fresh tips,[2][23][55] 0.15-0.3% from dried leaves. A small population seems to contain mainly DMT in bark, with most also containing other alkaloids including NMT, tryptamine, harman and norharman; leaves may contain more NMT than DMT. Some assays showed tentative presence of 5-MeO-DMT and/or bufotenine but these are unconfirmed and other assays did not detect them[2][56][57]

0.11-0.29% alkaloids in leaves and stems, 0.11% from seeds and pods, mostly tryptamine and sometimes with phenethylamine also present;[1][3][38] a later analysis found 0.06% tryptamine from leaves (w/w)[60]

0.025% alkaloids from leaves, including N-methyl-phenethylamine and N-methyl-tyramine (both tentatively identified).[12] Claims of DMT, NMT, amphetamines, mescaline, nicotine and many other alkaloids[66] are suspect[21]

Published reports of DMT in the leaf[5] derive from a misreading of a paper that found no DMT in leaves of this species.[6] However it is rumoured that unpublished analysis has found DMT in the plant[2]

Tentative positive for DMT in aerial parts of a 1 yr old plant, and 5-MeO-DMT in roots of 2 yr old seedlings;[7] a formal screening found no alkaloids in leaf and stem.[23] Appears to contain DMT based on human bioassays[2]

Acacia species having little or no alkaloids in the material sampled[39]